Edgecrusher
Expert Class
Posts: 256
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posted June 27, 2010 06:56 AM
Two up riding suspension for a tour'ed-out 14
So far I've had my 14 for two months and put nearly 3k on the ODO. It's all stock except the BMC just installed last week which I know doesn't make a whole lotta difference with out an exhaust.
Since I bought the bike the wife has been choosing to ride on the 14 with me instead of her 750 Katana. We plan on riding it down to the first Kentucky Fried Chicken in Kentucky with some Harley friends of ours in August. In the mean time we've been trying some long rides to figure out what needs to be changed to accommodate a passenger. First thing that had to go were the passenger pegs. After the first ride she complained about buzziness which ended up giving her some long term problems in the arches of her feet. So I went all the way with some Kuryakin Iso-Wings which are basicaly short floorboards LOL. I also installed the BMC air filter hoping to smooth out the engine vibes which seems to have done the trick(8k miles on original and filthy). Now at this point I have to decide where my money is best spent.
I just sold my 94 GSXR and have 1600 in my pocket which I plan on using on some hard luggage and mounts from Twisted Throttle, Givi V35 sidebags with a 48 ltr Coocase top case. Which sparks my question. With my passenger we will total 400lbs. then add on to that the luggage and hardware plus what will go in them. What am I going to have to change in the suspension so I don't break anything. I need to take some measurements with both of us on I guess. So far the bike handles quite well with her on. My feet are flat on the ground which helps but I am still worried about bottoming out in the shock. Ride height seems to be the issue. I think I can still tighten up the rear spring a bit more.
All week long I ride my 14 back and forth to work so I don't want to stiffen it up to the point it is a harsh ride 1up. So do I need to have my whole shock rebuilt or just throw a busa spring in to raise the ride?
Any suggestions appreciated.
  
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LAB3
Needs a job
Posts: 2977
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posted June 27, 2010 07:29 AM
Try adjusting the settings a little first. Call Race Tech and ask questions. Also find a used C-14 Connie seat
off ebay. You have to use the ZX-14 hardware but it will fit. Or spend big $$ on a custom made seat for touring.
From touring back to street.
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eklipse636
Needs a life
ZX-14
Posts: 6046
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posted June 27, 2010 08:22 AM
On the stock suspension in the rear you can tighten the spring all the way and it won't be too tight, but will help with 400+ lbs. The 14 suspension is incredibally soft stock
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Best: 60ft 1.351 1/8 5.68 mph 123.98 1/4
8.89 mph 151.32
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Hellmutt
Needs a job
Posts: 2013
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posted June 27, 2010 08:54 AM
quote:
On the stock suspension in the rear you can tighten the spring all the way and it won't be too tight, but will help with 400+ lbs. The 14 suspension is incredibally soft stock
I second that.......mine was setup stiffer than stock from the seller but he never hauled anyone or anything........I've got at least 100lbs on him and my wifes about 120lbs, then when we suit up and add the pack - the total load is toppin' out at over 430lbs.........I cranked the rear spring on down over and over until it started feeling better, but not too stiff........but I have no luggage on mine, we just wear packs
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British flying couch with endtables and an orange thumper
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dcjens
Pro
Wet side of Washington
Posts: 1059
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posted June 27, 2010 09:17 AM
Check and write down current settings. For a 150# rider (5ft japanese guy) the book says rear suspension settings, compression (upper) screw is at 2 1/4 turns from seated. bottom screw is 1 1/2 turns out from seated. Try a half a turn in, then 1/8th-16ths turns in for fine tuning. Your weight with gear should have you tighter already. Adding passenger with bags should be much stiffer than stock settings. The closer you get the less the increments should be. It's more sensitve than you think. The rear spring length (preload) is (7 1/2" loose) to just under (7" tight) The stock setting (6.9") is at the tight setting from the get-go. You should change the spring for 2-up, as most have done. The front preload is 15mm (0.59") usable is 4-19 mm (4mm being fully tight) Rebound (top screw) is 5th click out from seated. compression is 10 clicks, stock. Try rebound at 2 1/4 to 2 1/2, loaded. Compression, might try 4-5 clicks. under load. When I got my bike it was cranked shut on compression front and rear. The guy did 2-up alot. It was unsafe with my 160# light butt on it. It was pogo city. I had to pull over and fix it. Download the pdf file on the first page of here for a manual. good luck! be careful, suspension settings are critical for safety. D
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Black 06
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dcjens
Pro
Wet side of Washington
Posts: 1059
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posted June 27, 2010 09:19 AM
Nice pics LAB3 !!
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Black 06
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LAB3
Needs a job
Posts: 2977
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posted June 27, 2010 09:48 AM
 Edited By: LAB3 on 27 Jun 2010 19:44
quote:
Nice pics LAB3 !!
Thanks ...... good advise on setting up for 2 up touring. I am tall and 235 so I have my set up stiff.
There was a cool video someone posted here awhile back. That shows how to set the front and rear.
Start with setting the sag/ re-bound with you on the 14. It takes two people to do this. Then go from there.
Louis
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dcjens
Pro
Wet side of Washington
Posts: 1059
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posted June 27, 2010 10:58 AM
http://www.sportrider.com/features/146_setting_suspension_sag/index.html
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Black 06
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dubious
Needs a life
Needs more time to ride!
Posts: 8442
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posted June 27, 2010 12:40 PM
The stock suspension is too soft for a single 200 lb rider, so for 2 up it will really need a boost in spring rate and valving. You can crank the preload, and get the ride height right but it will still blow through the stroke with 300+ lbs on it.
I would go ohlins if you have the money and remote preload adjuster, makes adjusting it a snap for sngle to 2 up ride height.
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natural selection.....
destiny will overcome intervention.
Some are not worthy of the effort.
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Edgecrusher
Expert Class
Posts: 256
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posted June 28, 2010 07:02 PM
Thanks for the help. Guess I just need to keep experimenting. BTW I have the 'sportbike handbook' which shows any kind of set up one would need to do suspension wise.
Anyone help me out with some places to look for parts to upgrade(websites).
Also, how about air ride? I have no idea how this type of shock works or if it's purely for looks not comfort? But they look pretty darn adjustable-with a switch!
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eklipse636
Needs a life
ZX-14
Posts: 6046
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posted June 29, 2010 07:06 PM
There was a bike at the track with the air cylinder in the rear. To me, absolutely pointless for what your wanting. His was very bouncy. To me dangerous if your in a curve. It's about like air bags on a car/truck, looks cool but performance wise pointless.
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Best: 60ft 1.351 1/8 5.68 mph 123.98 1/4
8.89 mph 151.32
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Olcoop
Parking Attendant
Posts: 1
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posted September 14, 2010 10:56 AM
I would have thought the air just replaces the spring, and you would stop the bounciness with damping controls.
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Olcoop
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eklipse636
Needs a life
ZX-14
Posts: 6046
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posted September 14, 2010 12:30 PM
Email me eklipse636@hotmail.com
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Best: 60ft 1.351 1/8 5.68 mph 123.98 1/4
8.89 mph 151.32
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TooHype
Expert Class
Go Hard or Go Home !!
Posts: 427
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posted September 14, 2010 07:01 PM
 Those bags look good one her LAB3
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Go Hard or Go Home !!....2007 Diablo Black ZX-14, BMC Race Filter, Brock's Alien Head, Brock's Radial Mount Strap, PClll with Custom Map, Flies removed, Muzzy fan, Muzzy lowering links, Muzzy Fender Eliminator, 16/41, Speedohealer, Stretched 6", Lowered 3" IN GOD I TRUST !......If You’re a Hater….KILLYASELF !!
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Old Guy
Expert Class
Posts: 470
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posted September 15, 2010 05:09 AM
Edited By: Old Guy on 15 Sep 2010 13:12
I went with a Penske shock, heavier springs and a front revalve. Totally changed the bike for track days and 2 up touring.
With the Penske and revalve each click actually does something.
Can also back the preload & compression off for a cushy commuter ride. But I never do. I live in twisties, so why?!! ;-)
Also had a custom seat made. Best money spent on the bike, period. I'm only 175 and had wasted the suspension in 5k miles and 4-5 track days.
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Living the good life...,
On a XZ !!!!!
Tsukigi stainless full system
pcIII w/custom map
NO freakin flies!!
GP suspension forks
Penske rear shock
Rich's custom seat
And a whole bunch of other stuff.
97 zx6r full race bike with all the
good stuff
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LAB3
Needs a job
Posts: 2977
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posted September 15, 2010 05:10 AM
quote:
Those bags look good one her LAB3
Thanks, my friend Mike who has a Red 06 sport tours with me. He showed me a trick, we use painters tape on the rear where the soft material on the bags touches the black parts. The tape will keep the dust/sand that gets inbetween the felt cloth so it does not scratch the clear coat. Soft pads rubs on the tape :-) not
your clear coat on the paint. He also went to a 55 series rear tire........turns Much better in mountains. I had read this for several years. But when I road his 14 with Michelin Pilot Powers 2CT in the stock size except the the rear is a 55. BIG difference just turning around in the street in front of the house. If you Drag Race they suck but other than that the 55 series is Big improvement. We have adjusted my supension several times and finally found a setting that is really not too bad for stock shock and springs.
Louis
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